UMB AGPCNP Programs

University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing • Baltimore, MD • Hybrid

The University of Maryland School of Nursing offers 3 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:

  • BSN-DNP AGPCNP (3-, 4-, or 5-year options)
  • Post-Master’s DNP AGPCNP
  • Post-Doctoral Certificate AGPCNP

All tracks are delivered in a blended format combining face-to-face instruction with online coursework, with clinical placements arranged by faculty across the Baltimore–Washington, D.C. corridor.

The program suits working nurses who need a timeline that fits their employment situation, out-of-state nurses who can benefit from in-state tuition parity after year one, and master’s- or doctorate-prepared APRNs looking to add or change their specialty without repeating coursework they’ve already completed.

Program Tracks Overview

ProgramEst. TuitionEst. Duration
BSN-DNP AGPCNP$93K in-state / $150K out-of-state3–5 years
Post-Master’s DNP AGPCNP$44K in-state / $71K out-of-stateVariable
Post-Doctoral Certificate AGPCNP~$40K in-state (est.)Variable

UMSON’s AGPCNP DNP is built for nurses at every stage of their career — three plan-of-study timelines accommodate full-time study through full-time employment, backed by a 100% 2024 board pass rate and 50 years of program history.

BSN-DNP AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the BSN-DNP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at the University of Maryland School of Nursing is approximately $93,000 in-state or $150,000 out-of-state (including fees).

The program takes 3 to 5 years to complete depending on the selected plan of study.

DNP Curriculum

The BSN-DNP AGPCNP requires 80 total credits divided into three components:

  • DNP core coursework,
  • APRN foundational sciences,
  • specialty-specific diagnosis and management courses

The DNP core covers professional nursing practice, health policy, informatics, evidence-based practice, health care economics, leadership, and a three-course DNP project sequence.

APRN foundational courses build competency in physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, advanced health assessment, and APRN role transition.

The specialty core progresses through six levels of diagnosis and management — from introductory diagnostic reasoning through geriatric syndromes, episodic and chronic conditions, acute and complex conditions, multi-problem integration, and a final professional practice immersion — with paired clinical courses at each level.

One elective (3 credits) is included. The same 80-credit curriculum applies across all three plan-of-study options; the timeline differs, not the content.

Three plans of study are available:

  • 3-Year Plan (Summer start): Full-time, Monday–Friday availability required; typically selected by students in military programs or with employer sponsorship. Approximately 5% of students.
  • 4-Year Plan (Summer start): Balances graduate study with part-time employment. Approximately 50% of students.
  • 5-Year Plan (Fall start): Designed for nurses continuing full-time employment. Approximately 45% of students.

Final placement into a plan of study is determined by DNP leadership based on academic readiness, not solely by applicant preference. A gap analysis at admission may shift the start term or plan assignment.

Key courses include:

  • NPHY 612 – Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
  • NDNP 700 – Advanced Professional Nursing Practice
  • NDNP 701 – Professional Writing
  • NDNP 702 – Health Care Delivery: Quality, Access, and Economics
  • NDNP 704 – Population/Global Health
  • NDNP 706 – Evidence-Informed Practice and Statistics
  • NDNP 708 – Health Care Informatics for Advanced Practice
  • NDNP 710 – Evidence-Informed Health Policy and Advocacy
  • NDNP 712 – Advanced Practice Leadership in Health Care Systems
  • NDNP 714 – Translating Evidence to Practice
  • NDNP 723 – Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span
  • NDNP 819 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span
  • NDNP 720 – Geriatric Syndromes Assessment and Management
  • NDNP 830 – Diagnosis and Management 1: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning
  • NDNP 832 / 833 – Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions + Clinical (135 hrs)
  • NDNP 834 / 835 – Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions + Clinical (135 hrs)
  • NDNP 836 / 837 – Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems + Clinical (135 hrs)
  • NDNP 838 – Diagnosis and Management 5: Professional Practice Immersion: Clinical (180 hrs)
  • NDNP 839 – Diagnosis and Management 6: Integration of Practice and Leadership: Clinical (225 hrs)
  • NDNP 860 – Transition Into APRN Practice Roles
  • NDNP 810 / 811 / 812 / 813 – DNP Project Development, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation/Dissemination
  • Elective (3 credits)

DNP Clinicals

The BSN-DNP AGPCNP requires 1,085 total hours — 810 clinical hours and 275 practicum hours — distributed across specialty-specific clinical courses and DNP project practicums. Faculty arrange all clinical placements; students are not required to find their own preceptors, though they may suggest sites for faculty approval.

Students should not complete clinical rotations at their place of employment due to conflict-of-interest policies.

  • Total hours: 1,085 (810 clinical + 275 practicum)
  • NDNP 833: 135 hours — common and episodic/chronic conditions
  • NDNP 835: 135 hours — acute and chronic complex conditions
  • NDNP 837: 135 hours — multi-problem integration
  • NDNP 838: 180 hours — professional practice immersion
  • NDNP 839: 225 hours — integration of practice and leadership
  • Practicum hours distributed across NDNP 704, 708, 712, 810, 812, 813
  • Clinical sites span primary care, specialty practices (cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology, neurology, oncology, palliative care, orthopedics), student health, women’s health, correctional health, assisted living, and long-term care — primarily in the Baltimore–Washington, D.C. area
  • Students are exposed to the adult aging continuum across a variety of settings

DNP Admissions

The BSN-DNP AGPCNP requires a BSN from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or NLN CNEA-accredited program and at least two years of registered nursing experience by the time of admission.

  • BSN with nursing major from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or NLN CNEA-accredited institution required
  • Undergraduate cumulative GPA: 3.0 or higher
  • At least 2 years of inpatient RN experience required by time of admission
  • Current valid unrestricted RN license in the United States
  • $75 non-refundable application fee
  • Two professional recommendations (only first two received are considered)
  • Essay: 350 words maximum addressing how the degree will impact care of the population you expect to serve
  • Typed resume or CV
  • Official transcripts from every institution attended
  • Maryland residents must apply for in-state residency classification separately
  • Interviews by invitation only; applicants not selected for interview will not advance in review
  • Priority deadline for Fall 2027: November 1, 2026 (merit scholarship consideration requires this deadline)
  • Final deadline for Fall 2026: July 1, 2026
  • Not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship
  • No GRE required

Post-Master’s DNP AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s DNP in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at UMSON is approximately $44,000 in-state or $71,000 out-of-state (including fees).

Program length is variable based on a gap analysis conducted at admission.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

The post-master’s DNP requires a minimum of 45 credits, up to a maximum of 80, depending on how much of the required curriculum was covered in the student’s master’s program.

The plan of study is divided into three components:

  • DNP core (33 credits, 275 practicum hours),
  • APRN core (11 credits — may be waived if completed in prior master’s degree),
  • specialty-specific core (minimum 12 credits required, up to 33 credits).

Up to two DNP core courses may be transferred from prior graduate work.

The DNP project sequence — Development, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation/Dissemination — is required for all post-master’s students.

  • Note: The specific plan of study is determined at admission through a gap analysis; credits required vary by individual
  • DNP Core: 33 credits (NDNP 700–714, 810–813 series)
  • APRN Core: up to 11 credits (NPHY 612, NDNP 723, 819, 860) — may be fully waived
  • Specialty Core minimum: 12 credits from the NDNP 830–839 diagnosis and management series
  • Total credits to earn degree: 45–80
  • Students must work closely with their advisor to determine their specific plan of study

Post-Master’s DNP Clinicals

Post-master’s DNP students must complete 1,085 total clinical and practicum hours, with a maximum of 500 hours from a prior advanced practice program applied toward this requirement. All students must complete at least 585 hours at UMSON.

  • Total hours required: 1,085
  • Maximum transferable hours from prior APRN program: 500
  • Minimum hours completed at UMSON: 585
  • Note:The exact number of clinical credits required is determined at admission through gap analysis documentation using the NTF Sample Form B

Post-Master’s DNP Admissions

Post-master’s DNP applicants must hold a master’s degree in nursing or a related field; admissions requirements are otherwise consistent with the post-BSN track.

  • Master’s degree in nursing or related field required
  • Current valid unrestricted RN license
  • Undergraduate GPA: 3.0 or higher
  • $75 non-refundable application fee
  • Two professional recommendations
  • Essay (350 words maximum)
  • Typed resume or CV
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Interview by invitation only
  • Same application deadlines as post-BSN track
  • Not eligible for F-1 or J-1 visa sponsorship

Post-Doctoral Certificate AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the Post-Doctoral Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at UMSON is approximately $40,000 in-state (estimated at 43 credits × $926/credit), and program length is variable based on prior coursework.

Certificate Curriculum

The post-doctoral certificate is designed for DNP-prepared nurses who want to add or change their area of specialty.

The listed curriculum totals 43 credits and 990 clinical hours, but prior coursework review can reduce the required credits.

The specialty-specific diagnosis and management series (NDNP 830–839) forms the core, supplemented by APRN foundational courses if not already completed.

A gap analysis at admission determines the actual plan of study.

  • NPHY 612 – Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (3 cr)
  • NDNP 723 – Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span (3 cr)
  • NDNP 819 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span (4 cr)
  • NDNP 720 – Geriatric Syndromes Assessment and Management (2 cr)
  • NDNP 830 – Diagnosis and Management 1: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning (2 cr)
  • NDNP 831 – Diagnosis and Management 1: Clinical (2 cr, 90 hrs)
  • NDNP 832 – Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions, Episodic and Chronic (4 cr)
  • NDNP 833 – Diagnosis and Management 2: Clinical (3 cr, 135 hrs)
  • NDNP 834 – Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions (4 cr)
  • NDNP 835 – Diagnosis and Management 3: Clinical (3 cr, 135 hrs)
  • NDNP 836 – Diagnosis and Management 4: Integration of Multiple Health Problems (2 cr)
  • NDNP 837 – Diagnosis and Management 4: Clinical (2 cr, 90 hrs)
  • NDNP 838 – Diagnosis and Management 5: Professional Practice Immersion: Clinical (4 cr, 180 hrs)
  • NDNP 839 – Diagnosis and Management 6: Integration of Practice and Leadership: Clinical (5 cr, 225 hrs)
  • Note:If prior coursework overlaps, credits required may be reduced upon review by the program director

Certificate Clinicals

The post-doctoral certificate requires 990 clinical hours as listed, distributed across six clinical practicum courses. Prior coursework review may adjust the actual clinical hours required.

  • Total listed clinical hours: 990
  • NDNP 831: 90 hours
  • NDNP 833: 135 hours
  • NDNP 835: 135 hours
  • NDNP 837: 90 hours
  • NDNP 838: 180 hours
  • NDNP 839: 225 hours
  • Specific clinical hour requirements are finalized through gap analysis at admission

Certificate Admissions

Admission requirements for the post-doctoral certificate are not fully detailed on the official program page; prospective applicants should contact the UMSON Admissions Office directly. General DNP admissions requirements apply.

  • DNP degree required
  • Current valid unrestricted RN license
  • Gap analysis completed at admission to determine plan of study
  • Contact: 410-706-0501, option #2 or admissions.nursing@umaryland.edu
  • Full admissions criteria for the post-doctoral certificate are not clearly stated on the official program page — contact the program directly for requirements

Tuition

UMSON charges $926 per credit hour for in-state students and $1,643 per credit hour for out-of-state students across DNP programs.

A significant financial benefit: all students are considered in-state residents after one year of enrollment, reducing tuition costs for out-of-state nurses who commit to the program.

The Conway Scholarship covers 50% of in-state tuition, fees, and books for eligible students who have completed at least 9 graduate credit hours at UMSON and have at least half of their credits remaining.

Merit scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 per semester are awarded automatically upon application — no separate scholarship application is required. Federal financial aid and graduate assistantships (which include stipend, tuition remission, in-state status, and paid student health insurance) are also available.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of the AGPCNP specialty are eligible to sit for certification examinations through both the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); 2024 graduates achieved a 100% pass rate on both boards.

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